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origins of life

DNA emerging on early earth

Life

Life may have begun with simple genes made out of urine

Urea, a chemical found in urine, can be used to make simple genetic molecules similar to DNA – which could have been the basis of the first life on Earth

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The key to a long life may be genes that protect against stress

Life

The key to a long life may be genes that protect against stress

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BBC coverage of the Martian invasion will follow shortly

Space

BBC coverage of the Martian invasion will follow shortly

Culture

Artist's impression of a watery exoplanet

Space

Ocean worlds with a thick atmosphere may be better for life than Earth

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Stromatolite formation from Australia

Life

Fossilised microbes from 3.5 billion years ago are oldest yet found

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New Scientist Live 2019 highlights: Aliens, jet packs and Homo naledi

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51¶¯Âþ Live 2019 highlights: Aliens, jet packs and Homo naledi

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spaceman

Space

Does alien life have to look like us? Or even be intelligent?

Culture

Artists impression of a planet

Space

This watery planet is the best place to hunt life we've seen so far

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night sky artwork

Space

Are there any aliens out there? We are close to knowing for sure

Features

Glowing organisms

Space

We could find alien life on exoplanets by looking for its glow

Most of the closest exoplanets we’ve found orbit stars that can release flares of dangerous UV light, but those very flares might force life to evolve to glow

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Chemistry

Chemist Lee Cronin is building an alien to work out why life exists

Regulars

Environment

Tree stumps that should be dead can be kept alive by nearby trees

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Life

Early life on Earth may have existed as miniature droplets of jelly

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Space

Internet joke plan to 'raid' Area 51 gets stern reply from US military

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